Advice on computer purchase

I'm currently running Logic on my Powerbook G4 (1.5 GHz) with OS X tiger, and 768 RAM. Most of my projects thus far have been fairly small and simple, but I'm having some performance issues and am considering upgrading to a new Macbook.
I occasionally get core audio timeouts during playback, especially on one song I'm working on which includes 13 audio tracks, Channel EQ on each as well as some reverb and compression. These timeouts occur often enough to be frustrating, but not often enough to significantly hinder my mixdown process. It is also the case that I haven't yet employed track freezing or other processor conserving techniques. It seems that the problems I'm currently having may be solved by familiarizing my self with these processes, but since I do intend to work on more substantial projects in the future, perhaps a system upgrade will be necessary.
I've read in other threads that CPU speed is more important than RAM, so I imagine that the addition of RAM won't solve my problem. What I'm wondering is what sort of improvement I could expect from upgrading to the base line Macbook (1.83 core duo). It won't be easy for me financially, since whether or not I can afford it depends entirely on how much I could get for my Powerbook. So I need to know if it would really be worth the expense/hassle. Thanks.
Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

It can't be generalized that CPU speed is more important than RAM. It depends on how you use Logic, specifically, whether you use large sample-playing instruments.
Since you don't seem to be using samplers, CPU is most likely the limit in your case. Definitely start using track freezing, it's easy, and yields impressive results. Also, use Sends to minimize the number of reverb plugins you use.

Similar Messages

HT1386 My computer was stolen with all my iTunes on it. However, my iPod was not stolen. How do I transfer all files from my iPod to my new computer (purchased files and files I copied from CDs)?

My computer was stolen with all my iTunes on it. However, my iPod was not stolen. How do I transfer all files from my iPod to my new computer (purchased files and files I copied from CDs)?

http://www.wideanglesoftware.com/touchcopy/index.php

The trial version of Acrobat Pro is already on my computer; purchased it today; instructions say access through cloud.acrobat but the system keeps telling me to download. I just want to work. Do I really need to download again?

The trial version of Acrobat Pro is already on my computer; purchased it today; instructions say access through cloud.acrobat but the system keeps telling me to download. I just want to work. Do I really need to download again?

Hi lynnb,
If you already have Acrobat installed, there's no need to download it again. When you launch Acrobat, you should be given an option to "License this Software." Click that option, and then log in with your Adobe ID and password, and you should be all set!
Please let us know how it goes.
Best,
Sara

Need Computer Purchasing Advice

I don't know why, but it seems whenever I finally get the funds together to buy a new mac the current macs are already outdated.
So I need a new Mac Pro but I am wondering do I wait until the end of September to see if any new Mac Pros are coming out or do I just buy now. I could get by until September or October but if the new Mac Pro's are not released until the new year, then I will probably buy now. I really wish I could
have bought them when they first came out. I'm afraid I'll buy one and a faster mac will be released shortly after. I've heard new iMacs may be released this fall. If so would they possibly be faster than the current Mac Pro's?
Another question is. How old is the technology on the Mac Pro's now. Would I be better to wait IYO?
Thanks!

Paint Guy wrote:
Apple has usually introduced new Mac Pro's in the new year but what are the chances of them introducing them in Sept or October? Is it almost nil IYO?
In my opinion? Nil. I would bet money on it.
In yesterdays article from Appleinsider;
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/08/27/ipodsmacbooks_imacs_up_next_on_apples_2008roadmap.html
we read;
Apple's Mac Pro, (....) , were not mentioned amongst the company's plans for the remainder of 2008. However, that doesn't necessarily preclude them from making an appearance; AppleInsider can only report on what it has heard.
Understandable. Nehalem is 6 months away. So any new MacPro would have no new processors. What else would warrant a new product sortie?
Paint Guy wrote:
I will be doing work in After Effects and rendering 3D animation so a lot of power is essential. If I buy an Mac Pro Octocore, would I see a noticeable difference in speed between the 2.8 ghz and the 3.3 ghz machine IYO?
Paint Guy wrote:
Starting with these two relatively old articles;
http://www.barefeats.com/octopro4.html
http://www.barefeats.com/octopro1.html
i'm going to ask you if the following scenario fits your description;
it's monday morning and your assistant tells you that the phone was ringing before SHE got in. Your client pleads with you, can you produce this need of his, by friday morning, so that by friday afternoon he can relay your work to his client, so that by friday night, they can broadcast the content on their unique opportunity at national or even international coverage? He proceeds to tell you that his whole business' future, and the livelyhood of all his employees, depends on your ability to answer his question, yes or no.
The answer to your question is selfevident at this point, yes? Clients, deadlines, and other peoples interest at stake, you invest in the top, no questions asked.
IF!
IF, on the other hand, we're not talking about some big-city-deadlines. But rather work that must be done on your schedule. Then i say money saved between the 3.3 and the 2.8 is better served in more RAM, faster hard drives, externals, cards, whatever.
Do you have deadlines?
Nota Bene, I'm asking if you have deadlines established by others, or if we're talking about deadlines that you establish.
In other words, if this article doesn't convey my meaning...;
http://www.barefeats.com/harper.html
where you see an improvement of single-digit percentages of the 3.2 over the 2.8 ghz...
You (should be willing to) pay an absolute premium for the absolute best processor, if you have an absolute need for the absolutely fastest system. If one of those is missing, go with the 2.8.

Computer Purchasing Guide

Hello computer shoppers!
The question "Which one should I get?" is understandably popular here on the forums. We want to encourage you to continue gathering insights from fellow forum friends and empower you with some research tools below. We may update this post from time to time.
Whether you are a Home User, Student, Frequent Flier, Business Power User, or a Multimedia author or Gamer, we have some useful advice as you search for the laptop or desktop that best fits your needs.
Best Buy has partnered with CNet Computing Resource Center buying guides for Laptop and Desktop suggestions.
Unsure which type of Laptop is best for your needs? Laptop Discovery Tool is here to help!
Curious about Netbooks? Video: Finding the perfect Netbook
Which Windows Operating System will be pre-installed? Vista 101
Concerned about how to maintain and protect your computer?
PC protection 101
Geek Squad Black Tie Protection
Stay tuned for more...
What specifications do you look for? What have you learned about purchasing a computer?
(Please avoid discussing brands, positive responses are more helpful)
Message Edited by Matthew-GS on 03-12-2009 12:30 PM
Matthew|Community Advocate | Best Buy® Corporate
Visit our Channel on
Private Message

Hi Matthew. Excellent post! This needs to be at the top of the page and not getting buried as new people post new questions. It sure would help alot of folks if they would take the time to research your post alittle before posting.
Bob

Advice needed on purchase please!

OK so I plan on making the switch to Mac! Using an old PC desktop right now and plan on getting a portable. The Mac will be my main computer for everyday activities like email, word processing, internet, but I also want to record with it. I plan on getting an Apogee Duet to use with a couple condenser mics and record acoustic guitars and vocals. I'll start with Garageband and hopefully graduate to Logic Express or Logic one day. I don't play games but I do have lots of photos to import onto the Mac and would do general photo editing on them. I also want to take advantage of iMovie and iDVD with little video clips. So...is the Macbook (black one) sufficient or do I need the MBP for what I plan to do? I don't want to spend the extra money if I don't need to...
Second thing - every forum/website I have looked at all highlight the same problems with the MB and MBP - disc drives sticking, fan and overheating issues, faulty displays and so on. It's got me second guessing my purchase but I really want the Mac to record with, and I'm sick of Windows. I realize every computer is not perfect but from what I can tell there is an enormous amount of dissatisfaction with these issues. What's more is that people actually seem to acknowledge the problems but oddly many seem to accept them just because it's an Apple. I really don't want to shell out so much money to experience a major problem after a few weeks of use. I live in a rural area and taking it to a store is not really doable for me.
Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks!

Second thing - every forum/website I have looked at all highlight the same problems with the MB and MBP - disc drives sticking, fan and overheating issues, faulty displays and so on. It's got me second guessing my purchase but I really want the Mac to record with, and I'm sick of Windows. I realize every computer is not perfect but from what I can tell there is an enormous amount of dissatisfaction with these issues. What's more is that people actually seem to acknowledge the problems but oddly many seem to accept them just because it's an Apple. I really don't want to shell out so much money to experience a major problem after a few weeks of use. I live in a rural area and taking it to a store is not really doable for me.
Welcome to Apple Discussions!
This is a troubleshooting forum. Therefore the majority of the issues you see here are due to the rare lemon, and people still facing a learning curve with computers not knowing what they are doing which may create more issues than solve them. Most people with Macs are very satisfied and don't see these issues. People are too quick to blame the computer or the operating system when the issue is they are doing repairs to systems that otherwise are not broken and then breaking them in the process. If they had just followed some simple rules issues like these would not happen.
So the best thing to do when migrating you to the Mac is to get you started on the right step. If you want to have room to upgrade to Logic Pro a MacBook Pro is probably wiser than a MacBook. You'll have more expansion room in terms of peripherals. The lack of an Express/34 port and a Firewire 800 port really weaken the strength of a simple MacBook when it comes to people in the audio and video editing industry. It is nice to be able to add drives to different buses so editing is faster. Express/34 SATA/II cards are even faster than USB or Firewire when adding an external hard drive.
In the beginning a MacBook is not a bad option, but given where you want to go, don't cheat yourself by only getting a MacBook.

My windows computer died,it now has linux mint 9.I installed itunes on a new windows computer.Purchased new songs but it wont let me download or dispaly my old music.But it did transfer 3 movies over to new itunes account.

My windows computer died installed linux mint 9.(will not use for itunes)
Purchsed another windows computer and installed itunes.
Purchased songs howeverwould not let me sync with new computer or transfer old library.
However it did transfer 3 movies.
I authorized new computer and home sharing.
Do not want to lose old library and keep mgetting warning.
Help.
thanks Dave

Hello hallefrompa,
Thanks for the question, and welcome to Apple Support Communities.
The following article provides an answer to your question:
Using iPhone, iPad, or iPod with multiple computers
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1202
iPod shuffle and iPhone are intended for use with a single computer. You cannot load music from multiple computers or iTunes libraries onto iPod shuffle and iPhone like you can with other devices.
You'll need to setup your iPod to sync to this new iTunes library:
iOS: Syncing with iTunes
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1386
Thanks,
Matt M.

Seeking advice - Walk-in purchase of iphone 4?

Hi All,
I currently own the iphone 3G and when I got it, I waited in line at my local AT&T store for a couple of hours and ended up having to order it, but received it in a few days. That being said, I haven't had much too much experience with huge launches and being a walk-in customer hoping to purchase an iphone on the 24th.
I was hoping you all might have some advice about where you think I should try. The closest Apple store is 1.5 hours away, so I wasn't really planning on going there. I have a Best Buy, 2 radio shacks, 2 Walmarts, and 2 AT&T stores. I plan to call each of them on Wednesday to see if they have any idea if they'll even have phones available for walk-ins, but where would you all suggest trying to obtain a phone on the 24th? I know it's a long shot anywhere I go, but I was hoping people might have more experience or even some educated guesses about who would get more of the product? There has to be some kind of rhyme or reason, right? LOL
Thanks in advance for the help!

well AT&T stores are out of the question since they pushed back the walk in date to the 29th.

Moving Ipod and Itunes to another computer - purchased items will not load

I recently moved my music and video from one computer to another. All music that I loaded from CD moved fine. The items that I purchase from the iTunes store, was erased from my iPod but remains in my library. Additionaly, when I purchased more music on the new computer, it goes into the library, but not onto the iPod. I have not deauthorized the first computer, but I need to somehow "authorize" the new computer, but I don't know how.
Please help
Dave

Hello Dave,
See if this article helps: About iTunes Music Store Authorisation and Deauthorisation

Help with Computer Purchase

Im not even sure I am in the right community but here it goes I am looking at getting new computers for my wife and me we are looking at getting 2 MBA's and one 27" iMac. I have searched the internet high and low and cannot come up with a definitive line of answers. My questions are what size would be best for the MBA's we both love the 11' but I don't know if its worth the sacrifice of 3 hours battery life and the size/ footprint secondly is the flash storage 128/256/512 I will be getting 8gb ram on either. Taking into consideration the 27" we are looking at will be nearly maxed graphics card/i7/8gb ram I will be upgrading to 32gb after we get it dont want to pay apple prices but the drive is killing me I have no idea what to get I was really only considering ssd not sure what size 256/512/1tb but then there the fusion. We will also be getting a 2tb time capsule so i thought I would be able to get away with 512 but the 1tb keeps coming up in my mind any advice on these questions would be very helpful I have been racking my brain trying to decide. Also my usage will be a large shared iTunes library music,vids whatever else probably lots of pics and a bit of documents we are both in school lastly I was wondering about futureproofing and the expected life of the computers Thank You for all advice

For the iMac 27" a fusion drive (3TB) may be suitable, and because these handle stored files differently than a two HDD computer, with automatic file movement, there is quite a bit to know about them. There are some Support articles on a variety of topics including the airport Time Capsule, and Time machine software; also migration assistant and other things. And user accounts, permissions, privileges, sharing, etc.
Not sure about 'futureproofing' computers, unless you happen to need sturdy workhorse machines you can personally swap out parts, troubleshoot, and repair yourselves. The design is going away from that standard.
Some people with a more mobile lifestyle may consider a Mini computer and an iPad that could act as a display and also a keyboard to the Mini; plus have a regular keyboard and display for the Mini Mac. But that's probably an acquired taste. The MacBook/Air models with 256GB SSD would be plenty fast, not sure about the actual battery life between the 11" and 13" models. The only MacBook model left with an optical drive built-in is the low-end MacBook/Pro 13", so if you don't mind a non-Retina display, a little more weight, it is an OK choice at less cost. I'd probably get that, because I archive digital images to DVD media and also to external HDD. The Apple USB external superdrive may be a necessity, but other brands are said to be OK.
Learning how to use the Recovery and backup systems in these newer computers and whatever OS X version they have installed (Mavericks may be a free download, not included inside some) so there is a ton of stuff to consider. Each device that can see the airport Time capsule may want to use it as a backup, so that would not suffice for three Macs to have one, but you could backup and even clone complete system copies to other fast USB3.0 or FireWire800 externally enclosed self-powered hard disk drives, as these could boot and run their original host computer. A timemachine backup can't.
I fear that I could write a few hours and really say nothing; however I have read about most problems and issues, support related and service, at least online; and see there are some items I would avoid. In fact my hardware is not new and the OS X is a bit dated. I have other interests nowadays and no longer do the 'cutting edge' or retail thing. But then, I'm not sold on a smart phone yet either. I prefer to be by myself to think, and research more directly.
However, as I age my photographic memory has faded some...
Good luck & happy computing!

Pending New Computer Purchase

Hello, I presently have a Toshiba, SatelliteL505-S6946. It has been having problems for which I've been working with techs in the Toshiba Forums. Rather than spending money to fix it - if it is fixable - I've decided to purchase a new laptop.
1. I have gone to the Toshiba website and found I can order a custom built one. (Hopefully that would avoid having a lot of programs, etc loaded that I don't need).
MY QUESTION IS - If I send you a list of type of work/activities that I use the computer for, could you give me the range of the specs that I should have included in the hardware if I have one built? For example, how much GB should I get for memory and storage?
I'm looking at the Satellite C850-BT2N12 Laptop as it has Windows 7 Home Premium 64 -bit. I prefer to stay away from Windows 8. I don't know if the specs of the C850 will meet my needs, so I'd appreciate it if someone could help me with that determination. Thank you. Judy

The newest IMacs do not allow you to use any but Apple drives. They customized the iMac drives to add a temperature sensor, and if you install a non-Apple drive, the case fans roar at full speed.
Mac Pro (tower) is a lot more flexible anyway.

Apple Stockholder discount for new computer purchase

I want to purchase a new iMac to replace an old G5.
I am a stockholder and wonder if Apple offers any discount to stockholders when ordering a new Apple computer?

You're actually mistaken. IBM's PC division was profitable at the time it was sold to Lenovo.
Additionally IBM retained it's Intel based server division as they refocused on commerical services.
It's nice that IBM chooses to continue to offer discounts on Lenovo based PC's to it's stockholders.
Dave

Same ipod new computer, purchased musin

I reset-up my ipod on my new laptop, no problem. I went in to buy more music from itunes and when I go to sync up the songs to my ipod, I get an error message that says I don't have access to download these songs.
I am unclear I just purchased them from my new laptop. Not sure what I am missing. Any help is much appreciated!

did you authorize your new computer in the music store?
To authorize a computer to play songs purchased using your Apple Account
Select a song you've purchased (in your library or the Purchased Music playlist).
Click the Play button.
If the computer is already authorized, the song plays. If the computer has not yet been authorized, iTunes asks you to enter the Apple ID and password you used to purchase the song.
Windows XP Pro

New computer, purchase new license?

I currently have LR and PSE on a PC. It is the only computer I have ever installed it on. If I purchase a Mac will I need to purchase these programs again or will I be able to load them onto it. I would no longer be using my PC.

HI Tara,
I checked your account and your Lightroom 5 is for both Mac & PC. The Photoshop Elements is Windows only. When you purchase your Mac and need to switch the platform for Photoshop.
Just contact one of our chat agents here. Contact Customer Care
Provide your Adobe ID and explain that you are switching to a Mac. They can issue you a serial for the Mac.
Thanks
Scott

Help me decide on new computer purchase

My main goal is to keep using Aperture for as long as possible or until I know more about Apple Photos. I'm still running 10.6.8 so that means I'm stuck with Aperture 3.2.4. I'd like the most current version of Aperture so of course that means a new os.
Should I update to Mavericks on my current computer? Or is there a technical reason I should get a new iMac? What do you think?

Mavericks is no longer available.
However, the current version of Yosemite runs an updated version of Aperture ( version 3.6)
Before embarking on a major OS upgrade, it would be wise, advisable and very prudent if you backup your current system to an external connected and Mac formatted Flash drive OR externally connected USB, Thunderbolt or FireWire 800, Mac formatted hard drive. Then, use either OS X Time Machine app to backup your entire system to the external drive OR purchase, install and use a data cloning app, like CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper, to make an exact and bootable copy (clone) of your entire Mac's internal hard drive. This step is really needed in case something goes wrong with the install of the new OS or you simply do not like the new OS, you have a very easy way/procedure to return your Mac to its former working state.
Then, determine if your Mac meets ALL minimum system install requirements.
To install OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, 10.9 Mavericks (free upgrade, but currently unavailable) or OS X 10.10 Yosemite (currently available free upgrade) you need one of these Macs:
OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion purchased emailed download code here.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/D6377Z/A/os-x-mountain-lion
iMac (Mid-2007 or later)
MacBook (13-inch Aluminum, Late 2008), (13-inch, Early 2009 or later)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid-2009 or later),
MacBook Pro (15-inch or 17-inch, Mid/Late 2007 or later)
MacBook Air (Late 2008 or later)
Mac mini (Early 2009 or later)
Mac Pro (Early 2008 or later)
Xserve (Early 2009)
Your Mac also needs:
OS X Mountain Lion, Lion, or Snow Leopard v10.6.8 already installed
2 GB or more of memory (I strongly advise, at least, 4 GBs of RAM or more)
8 GB or more of available space
Next,
If you run any older Mac software from the earlier PowerPC Macs, then none of this software will work with the newer OS X versions (10.7 and onward). OS X Snow Leopard had a magical and invisible PowerPC emulation application, called Rosetta, that worked seamlessly in the background that still allowed older PowerPC coded software to still operate in a Intel CPU Mac.
The use of Rosetta ended with OS X Snow Leopard as the Rosetta application was licensed to Apple, from a software company called Transitive, which got bought out, I believe, by IBM and Appe could no longer secure their rights to continue to use Rosetta in later versions of OS X.
So, you would need to check to see if you have software on your Mac that maybe older than, say, 2006 or older.
Also, check for app compatibilty here.
http://roaringapps.com/
If you have any commercial antivirus installed and/or hard drive cleaning apps installed on your Mac, like MacKeeper, CleanMyMac, TuneUpMyMac, MacCleanse, etc. now would be a good time to completely uninstall this apps by doing a Google search to learn how to properly uninstall these types of apps.
These types of apps will only cause your Mac issues later after the install of the new OS X version and you will have to completely uninstall these types of apps later.
Once you have determined all of this, you should be able to find the latest versions of OS X by clicking on the Mac App Store icon in the OS X Dock and then login to the Mac App Store using your Apple ID and password and if you purchased a download code, input that code.
You can then begin the download and installation process of installing the newer versions of OS X from the Mac App Store.

Advice on computer purchase

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for